Residents want more bike and walking paths

DARTMOUTH — Residents were recently given the opportunity to help shape the community's collective future by filling out a survey that will be used to help update the town's 2009 Open Space and Recreation Master Plan and create a new five-year plan.

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By ROBERT BARBOZA

southcoasttoday.com

By ROBERT BARBOZA

Posted Feb. 26, 2014 at 10:40 AM

By ROBERT BARBOZA
Posted Feb. 26, 2014 at 10:40 AM

CONSERVATION QUESTIONS

On the question of whether more land in Dartmouth should be set aside for protected open space and conservation, the response was an overwhelming yes, with 87 percent in favor

89 percent...

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CONSERVATION QUESTIONS

On the question of whether more land in Dartmouth should be set aside for protected open space and conservation, the response was an overwhelming yes, with 87 percent in favor

89 percent indicated open space for protection of the water supply should be a high priority for the town

78 percent said protection of forests and woodlands should be a high priority

73 percent felt waterfront and waterways access should be a high priority

71 percent said preservation of farmland should be a high priority

90 percent of residents said they purchase locally-grown produce, and 79 percent said they were willing to pay more for it

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DARTMOUTH — Residents were recently given the opportunity to help shape the community's collective future by filling out a survey that will be used to help update the town's 2009 Open Space and Recreation Master Plan and create a new five-year plan.

The survey allowed residents to provide their opinions on past land acquisition and preservation efforts, and to review public and private recreational facilities and opportunities in town to help with planning to meet future community needs, said Director of Development/Grants Deborah Melino-Wender.

The opinions of residents, and input from the master plan committee are now in the hands of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) staffers, who will prepare an updated draft of an Open Space and Recreation Master Plan to be aired at a public hearing to be held sometime in April, she indicated.

"SRPEDD will also prioritize a handful of action items to be addressed by the town in the next five years," Ms. Melino-Wender said. The items on the long-term action plans are reviewed annually by Parks & Recreation staff and the Planning Department to chart progress on the town's goals, she noted.

The survey results show that of the 339 residents surveyed, the greatest number of respondents would like to see more bicycle and pedestrian paths in Dartmouth, more conservation areas and wildlife viewing sites, a fenced dog walking area, and a indoor walking facility.

Most residents felt the town has enough golf courses, baseball and softball fields, and enough public beaches.

Round Hill Beach proved to be the most popular recreational facility in town, used by nearly half of the respondents to the survey. Second was Demarest Lloyd State Park, followed by Destruction Brook Woods, the Slocum's River Reserve, the Lloyd Center, and Apponagansett Park/Beach, used by slightly more than 36 percent of residents responding.

The greatest number of residents surveyed targeted Round Hill Beach, the Slocum's River Reserve, Apponagansett Park, and Allen's Pond Sanctuary as places that could be improved or expanded in the future.

The least-visited public facility, according to the survey, was the Rogers Street landing providing access to Clark's Cove.

Of those surveyed, 30 percent were in the 35-49 age bracket, 32 percent were aged 50-64, and 27 percent were 65 and older. Only nine percent of survey respondents were aged 18-34, and less than two percent were under 18.

Only one resident, Town Meeting member Gloria Bancroft, attended the Jan. 29 public session conducted by the Open Space and Recreation Master Plan Committee to gather additional public input on the master plan update.